FCPS comprehensive boundary review

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they said why grandfathering and starting this with a certain graduating class won't work? Is it transportation?

The school board wants to rezone every 5 years to achieve One Fairfax in the schools. (Their words, not mine)

Grandfathering hinders this goal.

WHAT IS ONE FAIRFAX?????

I don't understand.

Is it some sort of educational theory? Help me.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/one-fairfax

I wonder if they'll be dumb enough to cite it when they propose changes. "One Fairfax is a joint racial and social equity policy of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board. The 2016 One Fairfax Resolution commits the county and schools to intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services." Sounds like good grounds for a lawsuit opposing any changes.

Some people here seem to think FCPS would be in hot water legally if they mention equity or diversity as goals. They can't specifically rezone based on race without violating the law, but they can rezone to try and achieve economic diversity. They avoid such discussions because they think it would be politically unpopular, not illegal, and because they think they can do just about anything they want and claim it's based on "efficiency" considerations (which is a farce, but they'll keep saying it).

By way of comparison, however, MCPS is about to undertake its own county-wide boundary study, and they've been much more upfront about how "diversity" is a goal of theirs ("We want to create schools with a diverse study body"). https://mocoshow.com/2024/12/16/mcps-introduces-2024-2025-boundary-study/

FCPS leadership and School Board isn't very different than MCPS leadership and Board of Education these days, just less honest and forthcoming about their motivations.

The threat of lawsuit is real and I’m sure they’ve been coached by counsel to not touch diversity with a ten foot pole.

They are so up each other’s rears in their echo chamber that they might even think that those efforts would be largely supported. They’re wrong, of course, but that’s the only way these clowns know how to be.

The specifically stated at the October 8 meeting that One Fairfax is the centerpiece of rezoning and the diversity superintendent must be on the committee to ensure all rezoning aligns with One Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ACPS explicitly states the reason they only have one high school is to avoid re-segregation if they were to build a second school. Such a statement is obviously not cause for a lawsuit, and FCPS would not be in any hot water either.

https://www.acps.k12.va.us/departments/facilities-operations/office-of-capital-programs-planning-design/the-high-school-project

ACPS is using it as a reason for not acting. A court is not going to compel the construction of a second high school. FCPS is proposing to use it as a reason for acting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they said why grandfathering and starting this with a certain graduating class won't work? Is it transportation?

The school board wants to rezone every 5 years to achieve One Fairfax in the schools. (Their words, not mine)

Grandfathering hinders this goal.

WHAT IS ONE FAIRFAX?????

I don't understand.

Is it some sort of educational theory? Help me.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/one-fairfax

I wonder if they'll be dumb enough to cite it when they propose changes. "One Fairfax is a joint racial and social equity policy of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board. The 2016 One Fairfax Resolution commits the county and schools to intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services." Sounds like good grounds for a lawsuit opposing any changes.

Some people here seem to think FCPS would be in hot water legally if they mention equity or diversity as goals. They can't specifically rezone based on race without violating the law, but they can rezone to try and achieve economic diversity. They avoid such discussions because they think it would be politically unpopular, not illegal, and because they think they can do just about anything they want and claim it's based on "efficiency" considerations (which is a farce, but they'll keep saying it).

By way of comparison, however, MCPS is about to undertake its own county-wide boundary study, and they've been much more upfront about how "diversity" is a goal of theirs ("We want to create schools with a diverse study body"). https://mocoshow.com/2024/12/16/mcps-introduces-2024-2025-boundary-study/

FCPS leadership and School Board isn't very different than MCPS leadership and Board of Education these days, just less honest and forthcoming about their motivations.

The threat of lawsuit is real and I’m sure they’ve been coached by counsel to not touch diversity with a ten foot pole.

They are so up each other’s rears in their echo chamber that they might even think that those efforts would be largely supported. They’re wrong, of course, but that’s the only way these clowns know how to be.

The specifically stated at the October 8 meeting that One Fairfax is the centerpiece of rezoning and the diversity superintendent must be on the committee to ensure all rezoning aligns with One Fairfax.

Fake news.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The irony to the "diversity rezoning" idea is that actually, in the case of WSHS and Lewis, WSHS is more diverse. WSHS families are NOT afraid of diversity - in fact, FCPS should be holding up WSHS as a fantastic example of a school that has a diverse student population and is succeeding instead of trying to tear it down.

Fairfax HS is the shining example of a truly diverse school that is succeeding. WS has the second lowest ELL population behind only Langley and a FARMs rate well below average. It is technically racially diverse to some extent, but FARMs and ELL diversity are significantly more important factors than race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they said why grandfathering and starting this with a certain graduating class won't work? Is it transportation?

The school board wants to rezone every 5 years to achieve One Fairfax in the schools. (Their words, not mine)

Grandfathering hinders this goal.

WHAT IS ONE FAIRFAX?????

I don't understand.

Is it some sort of educational theory? Help me.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/one-fairfax

I wonder if they'll be dumb enough to cite it when they propose changes. "One Fairfax is a joint racial and social equity policy of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board. The 2016 One Fairfax Resolution commits the county and schools to intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services." Sounds like good grounds for a lawsuit opposing any changes.

Some people here seem to think FCPS would be in hot water legally if they mention equity or diversity as goals. They can't specifically rezone based on race without violating the law, but they can rezone to try and achieve economic diversity. They avoid such discussions because they think it would be politically unpopular, not illegal, and because they think they can do just about anything they want and claim it's based on "efficiency" considerations (which is a farce, but they'll keep saying it).

By way of comparison, however, MCPS is about to undertake its own county-wide boundary study, and they've been much more upfront about how "diversity" is a goal of theirs ("We want to create schools with a diverse study body"). https://mocoshow.com/2024/12/16/mcps-introduces-2024-2025-boundary-study/

FCPS leadership and School Board isn't very different than MCPS leadership and Board of Education these days, just less honest and forthcoming about their motivations.

The threat of lawsuit is real and I’m sure they’ve been coached by counsel to not touch diversity with a ten foot pole.

They are so up each other’s rears in their echo chamber that they might even think that those efforts would be largely supported. They’re wrong, of course, but that’s the only way these clowns know how to be.

PS, if they are focused on economic diversity why do they have all those hand picked special interest groups on the boundary review advisory committee?

Oh, sweet child, their hand-picked members will rubber-stamp whatever Reid and the SB want to do to advance FCPS's equity/diversity/One Fairfax goals as long as, in return, they get an audience at the table when it comes to discussing their own agendas, whether it's neurodivergent students, LBGTQ rights, or the NAACP's priorities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ACPS explicitly states the reason they only have one high school is to avoid re-segregation if they were to build a second school. Such a statement is obviously not cause for a lawsuit, and FCPS would not be in any hot water either.

https://www.acps.k12.va.us/departments/facilities-operations/office-of-capital-programs-planning-design/the-high-school-project

ACPS is using it as a reason for not acting. A court is not going to compel the construction of a second high school. FCPS is proposing to use it as a reason for acting.

+1. Clear difference between making changes based on race and not acting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they said why grandfathering and starting this with a certain graduating class won't work? Is it transportation?

The school board wants to rezone every 5 years to achieve One Fairfax in the schools. (Their words, not mine)

Grandfathering hinders this goal.

WHAT IS ONE FAIRFAX?????

I don't understand.

Is it some sort of educational theory? Help me.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/one-fairfax

I wonder if they'll be dumb enough to cite it when they propose changes. "One Fairfax is a joint racial and social equity policy of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board. The 2016 One Fairfax Resolution commits the county and schools to intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services." Sounds like good grounds for a lawsuit opposing any changes.

Some people here seem to think FCPS would be in hot water legally if they mention equity or diversity as goals. They can't specifically rezone based on race without violating the law, but they can rezone to try and achieve economic diversity. They avoid such discussions because they think it would be politically unpopular, not illegal, and because they think they can do just about anything they want and claim it's based on "efficiency" considerations (which is a farce, but they'll keep saying it).

By way of comparison, however, MCPS is about to undertake its own county-wide boundary study, and they've been much more upfront about how "diversity" is a goal of theirs ("We want to create schools with a diverse study body"). https://mocoshow.com/2024/12/16/mcps-introduces-2024-2025-boundary-study/

FCPS leadership and School Board isn't very different than MCPS leadership and Board of Education these days, just less honest and forthcoming about their motivations.

The threat of lawsuit is real and I’m sure they’ve been coached by counsel to not touch diversity with a ten foot pole.

They are so up each other’s rears in their echo chamber that they might even think that those efforts would be largely supported. They’re wrong, of course, but that’s the only way these clowns know how to be.

PS, if they are focused on economic diversity why do they have all those hand picked special interest groups on the boundary review advisory committee?

Oh, sweet child, their hand-picked members will rubber-stamp whatever Reid and the SB want to do to advance FCPS's equity/diversity/One Fairfax goals as long as, in return, they get an audience at the table when it comes to discussing their own agendas, whether it's neurodivergent students, LBGTQ rights, or the NAACP's priorities.

Right, that was my point. My point was rhetorical and I’m pointing to the practice likely being illegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they said why grandfathering and starting this with a certain graduating class won't work? Is it transportation?

The school board wants to rezone every 5 years to achieve One Fairfax in the schools. (Their words, not mine)

Grandfathering hinders this goal.

WHAT IS ONE FAIRFAX?????

I don't understand.

Is it some sort of educational theory? Help me.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/one-fairfax

I wonder if they'll be dumb enough to cite it when they propose changes. "One Fairfax is a joint racial and social equity policy of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board. The 2016 One Fairfax Resolution commits the county and schools to intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services." Sounds like good grounds for a lawsuit opposing any changes.

Some people here seem to think FCPS would be in hot water legally if they mention equity or diversity as goals. They can't specifically rezone based on race without violating the law, but they can rezone to try and achieve economic diversity. They avoid such discussions because they think it would be politically unpopular, not illegal, and because they think they can do just about anything they want and claim it's based on "efficiency" considerations (which is a farce, but they'll keep saying it).

By way of comparison, however, MCPS is about to undertake its own county-wide boundary study, and they've been much more upfront about how "diversity" is a goal of theirs ("We want to create schools with a diverse study body"). https://mocoshow.com/2024/12/16/mcps-introduces-2024-2025-boundary-study/

FCPS leadership and School Board isn't very different than MCPS leadership and Board of Education these days, just less honest and forthcoming about their motivations.

That's true, but if they continue to invoke one fairfax, they open the door because one fairfax specifically invokes race

One Fairfax is so general that invoking it in connection with the boundary study is not going to create any legal risk for FCPS.

But it's kind of moot because they are clearly under marching order that, for political reasons, they should keep repeating that this is driven by efficiency considerations when it couldn't be clearer that those in charge of FCPS could not care less when it comes to spending money prudently. The West Potomac expansion and the Dunn Loring boondoggle are Exhibits 1 and 2 in that regard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The irony to the "diversity rezoning" idea is that actually, in the case of WSHS and Lewis, WSHS is more diverse. WSHS families are NOT afraid of diversity - in fact, FCPS should be holding up WSHS as a fantastic example of a school that has a diverse student population and is succeeding instead of trying to tear it down.

Fairfax HS is the shining example of a truly diverse school that is succeeding. WS has the second lowest ELL population behind only Langley and a FARMs rate well below average. It is technically racially diverse to some extent, but FARMs and ELL diversity are significantly more important factors than race.

"Racial and Social Equity Action Planning
All organizations and departments within Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public
Schools will conduct analysis, devise plans, set goals, and take actions through specific practices,
policies, and initiatives within their purview"

Seems like they are explicit that race is a factor in planning

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they said why grandfathering and starting this with a certain graduating class won't work? Is it transportation?

The school board wants to rezone every 5 years to achieve One Fairfax in the schools. (Their words, not mine)

Grandfathering hinders this goal.

WHAT IS ONE FAIRFAX?????

I don't understand.

Is it some sort of educational theory? Help me.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/one-fairfax

I wonder if they'll be dumb enough to cite it when they propose changes. "One Fairfax is a joint racial and social equity policy of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board. The 2016 One Fairfax Resolution commits the county and schools to intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services." Sounds like good grounds for a lawsuit opposing any changes.

Some people here seem to think FCPS would be in hot water legally if they mention equity or diversity as goals. They can't specifically rezone based on race without violating the law, but they can rezone to try and achieve economic diversity. They avoid such discussions because they think it would be politically unpopular, not illegal, and because they think they can do just about anything they want and claim it's based on "efficiency" considerations (which is a farce, but they'll keep saying it).

By way of comparison, however, MCPS is about to undertake its own county-wide boundary study, and they've been much more upfront about how "diversity" is a goal of theirs ("We want to create schools with a diverse study body"). https://mocoshow.com/2024/12/16/mcps-introduces-2024-2025-boundary-study/

FCPS leadership and School Board isn't very different than MCPS leadership and Board of Education these days, just less honest and forthcoming about their motivations.

The threat of lawsuit is real and I’m sure they’ve been coached by counsel to not touch diversity with a ten foot pole.

They are so up each other’s rears in their echo chamber that they might even think that those efforts would be largely supported. They’re wrong, of course, but that’s the only way these clowns know how to be.

The specifically stated at the October 8 meeting that One Fairfax is the centerpiece of rezoning and the diversity superintendent must be on the committee to ensure all rezoning aligns with One Fairfax.

Fake news.

Watch the full October 8 meeting. It is all right there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they said why grandfathering and starting this with a certain graduating class won't work? Is it transportation?

The school board wants to rezone every 5 years to achieve One Fairfax in the schools. (Their words, not mine)

Grandfathering hinders this goal.

WHAT IS ONE FAIRFAX?????

I don't understand.

Is it some sort of educational theory? Help me.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/one-fairfax

I wonder if they'll be dumb enough to cite it when they propose changes. "One Fairfax is a joint racial and social equity policy of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board. The 2016 One Fairfax Resolution commits the county and schools to intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services." Sounds like good grounds for a lawsuit opposing any changes.

Some people here seem to think FCPS would be in hot water legally if they mention equity or diversity as goals. They can't specifically rezone based on race without violating the law, but they can rezone to try and achieve economic diversity. They avoid such discussions because they think it would be politically unpopular, not illegal, and because they think they can do just about anything they want and claim it's based on "efficiency" considerations (which is a farce, but they'll keep saying it).

By way of comparison, however, MCPS is about to undertake its own county-wide boundary study, and they've been much more upfront about how "diversity" is a goal of theirs ("We want to create schools with a diverse study body"). https://mocoshow.com/2024/12/16/mcps-introduces-2024-2025-boundary-study/

FCPS leadership and School Board isn't very different than MCPS leadership and Board of Education these days, just less honest and forthcoming about their motivations.

The threat of lawsuit is real and I’m sure they’ve been coached by counsel to not touch diversity with a ten foot pole.

They are so up each other’s rears in their echo chamber that they might even think that those efforts would be largely supported. They’re wrong, of course, but that’s the only way these clowns know how to be.

PS, if they are focused on economic diversity why do they have all those hand picked special interest groups on the boundary review advisory committee?

Oh, sweet child, their hand-picked members will rubber-stamp whatever Reid and the SB want to do to advance FCPS's equity/diversity/One Fairfax goals as long as, in return, they get an audience at the table when it comes to discussing their own agendas, whether it's neurodivergent students, LBGTQ rights, or the NAACP's priorities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they said why grandfathering and starting this with a certain graduating class won't work? Is it transportation?

The school board wants to rezone every 5 years to achieve One Fairfax in the schools. (Their words, not mine)

Grandfathering hinders this goal.

WHAT IS ONE FAIRFAX?????

I don't understand.

Is it some sort of educational theory? Help me.

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/one-fairfax

I wonder if they'll be dumb enough to cite it when they propose changes. "One Fairfax is a joint racial and social equity policy of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board. The 2016 One Fairfax Resolution commits the county and schools to intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services." Sounds like good grounds for a lawsuit opposing any changes.

Some people here seem to think FCPS would be in hot water legally if they mention equity or diversity as goals. They can't specifically rezone based on race without violating the law, but they can rezone to try and achieve economic diversity. They avoid such discussions because they think it would be politically unpopular, not illegal, and because they think they can do just about anything they want and claim it's based on "efficiency" considerations (which is a farce, but they'll keep saying it).

By way of comparison, however, MCPS is about to undertake its own county-wide boundary study, and they've been much more upfront about how "diversity" is a goal of theirs ("We want to create schools with a diverse study body"). https://mocoshow.com/2024/12/16/mcps-introduces-2024-2025-boundary-study/

FCPS leadership and School Board isn't very different than MCPS leadership and Board of Education these days, just less honest and forthcoming about their motivations.

The threat of lawsuit is real and I’m sure they’ve been coached by counsel to not touch diversity with a ten foot pole.

They are so up each other’s rears in their echo chamber that they might even think that those efforts would be largely supported. They’re wrong, of course, but that’s the only way these clowns know how to be.

PS, if they are focused on economic diversity why do they have all those hand picked special interest groups on the boundary review advisory committee?

Oh, sweet child, their hand-picked members will rubber-stamp whatever Reid and the SB want to do to advance FCPS's equity/diversity/One Fairfax goals as long as, in return, they get an audience at the table when it comes to discussing their own agendas, whether it's neurodivergent students, LBGTQ rights, or the NAACP's priorities.

The advisory committees are places people go to complain. Rarely does any real policy come from them. It doesn't really matter who is on them.

[Anonymous]

West Springfield is almost 50% white. I don't think that makes it a shining example of diversity.

Fairfax High School is more diverse, and it's got a score of a 6 on Great Schools. (Though Great Schools doesn't give good ratings to Fairfax's Hispanic population, and the first review there is a very angry Spanish review.)

Edison with its STEM feeder program is a 5 on Great Schools.

Lewis, with more than 50% Hispanic, is a 4 on Great Schools. Just one point behind Edison, despite not having a feeder program and having 1/3 of the student population in ELL.

No one is talking about how horrible the teaching programs are at the schools with lower test results. They're only talking about the students. But here's the thing: sitting next to a student with a lower test score will not make your child score lower. The teachers are not teaching a different curriculum, and any student that needs assistance will get it after school or during advisory.

Maybe, just maybe, the schools aren't that far apart in their ability to teach students as folks here seem to think they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they thinking of putting AAP in every elem school and getting rid of centers? If so, they would have to redraw boundaries to re-fill the former AAP schools, and also reduce the boundaries of the feeder schools in many cases.

Yes that’s another sticky wicket that no one seems to be clear on. Some schools send a large number of 3-6 to the center. If those kids were returned to their base schools it would change the enrollment calculus for sure. Even if they kept centers but put LLIV in every school, it would change things. Yet another thing they needed to figure out before messing around with the boundaries, but yet here we are.

Think about the centers -- most have 2-3 classes in each grade (3rd-6th) that are AAP. If you remove 9 classrooms-worth of kids from the AAP centers, they need bigger boundaries to fill up their classrooms. And feeder schools will have to accommodate an additional influx of 30-90 kids in their schools. That's classrooms that they will need (i.e. trailers) or else their boundaries need to shrink when taking back all their AAP kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:West Springfield is almost 50% white. I don't think that makes it a shining example of diversity.

Fairfax High School is more diverse, and it's got a score of a 6 on Great Schools. (Though Great Schools doesn't give good ratings to Fairfax's Hispanic population, and the first review there is a very angry Spanish review.)

Edison with its STEM feeder program is a 5 on Great Schools.

Lewis, with more than 50% Hispanic, is a 4 on Great Schools. Just one point behind Edison, despite not having a feeder program and having 1/3 of the student population in ELL.

No one is talking about how horrible the teaching programs are at the schools with lower test results. They're only talking about the students. But here's the thing: sitting next to a student with a lower test score will not make your child score lower. The teachers are not teaching a different curriculum, and any student that needs assistance will get it after school or during advisory.

Maybe, just maybe, the schools aren't that far apart in their ability to teach students as folks here seem to think they are.

West Springfield is more diverse than Lewis, using your stats.